A short history of Farm Cornwall.

In 2001 the Rural Economic Partnership with a membership of the Tregothnan Estates, St Aubyn Estates and Bolitho Estates and Cornwall Council estate undertook a survey into the farmers and farming needs of West Penwith from this face-to-face survey a report was produced and a number of recommendations were made. In the Spring of 2002 the Bolitho Estates land agent and District Councils new Rural Economy Officer met to look at the findings and ways to develop some of them.

A request of grant support was made to Job Centre Plus securing £30,000 and an invitation for a meeting was called to invited farmers in the  committee room upstairs in the Coldstreamer Inn in Gulval. The invitation was made to specific young farmers, beer and chips provided. The Tregothnan Estates Chief Executive laid out the proposal. There was some suspicion but with an undertaking that it would be independent and they would interview and employ their own advisor an advert in Farmers Weekly was placed. A short list drawn and interviews help both formally and around a cash flow and balance sheet interview in a farm kitchen. The forum steering group was established, Penwith Community Development Trust hosted to post and the Farm Business Development Advisor John Forster was appointed.

The Scheme was established in June 2002 ‘to provide an inclusive single point of contact for farming families throughout West Cornwall offering rural outreach with total wraparound business and family support. Championing development by providing “Signposting plus” to individuals and business aspirations. Ensuring that farm businesses maximise the opportunities and initiatives offered.’